1 00:01:07,680 --> 00:01:11,960 hear me? Okay. Yes. 2 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:37,120 Although we do have fairly wide ranging authority over the 3 00:02:50,680 --> 00:02:55,480 watercol pieces of heavy equipment 4 00:02:55,599 --> 00:03:06,000 chains, cables, winching equipment to do our job with several specialty 5 00:03:02,760 --> 00:03:06,000 pieces by the 6 00:03:06,040 --> 00:03:17,159 way. We try to spend our funds locally bank fuel from a local co-op. Buy our 7 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:25,840 tires from tire insurance across the 8 00:03:21,879 --> 00:03:25,840 street as much as we can. 9 00:03:26,319 --> 00:03:35,440 Although our work is of a part-time nature and highly 10 00:03:31,319 --> 00:03:35,440 dependent source and 11 00:03:36,680 --> 00:03:44,440 help out is our 12 00:03:41,799 --> 00:03:48,440 home has remain. 13 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:58,000 Many of you are aware Bill Schmidt was a longer 14 00:03:54,640 --> 00:03:58,000 dedicated employee and 15 00:03:58,280 --> 00:04:02,560 president timely passing last 16 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:05,840 August 17 00:04:06,599 --> 00:04:15,519 personally directors operations we had to work through a 18 00:04:12,480 --> 00:04:21,199 number of challenges due to that but I am pleased to say we have rallies we've 19 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:21,199 overcome most of 20 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:27,440 Been a month passing the back of the field on the 21 00:04:29,240 --> 00:04:34,639 river dedicated 22 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:44,520 here. Two smaller ones. 23 00:04:49,840 --> 00:04:52,960 However, we still have a 24 00:04:54,680 --> 00:05:01,560 challenge unable to buy an auction building. 25 00:05:17,120 --> 00:05:27,240 Now we need a building. We can store our supplies and 26 00:05:23,560 --> 00:05:33,000 equipment. We can maintain and repair some new 27 00:05:30,280 --> 00:05:39,240 equipment acquisition building as our head for 28 00:05:36,240 --> 00:05:39,240 operations. 29 00:05:39,759 --> 00:05:42,160 That's why 30 00:05:42,280 --> 00:05:46,560 we're interested in acquiring 31 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:55,280 small like put a building up on 32 00:05:55,560 --> 00:05:58,960 that heavy 33 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:05,400 concrete on concrete working space. 34 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:18,759 Part of this building would be gravel floor, opened machinery, 35 00:06:34,960 --> 00:06:37,120 We're 36 00:06:39,800 --> 00:06:48,960 thinking the first few years we would have planned 37 00:06:45,960 --> 00:06:48,960 projects 38 00:06:52,039 --> 00:06:57,919 cost our proposed building prepared 39 00:06:58,039 --> 00:07:09,039 frame metal skin. We have an insulated 40 00:07:03,960 --> 00:07:09,039 shop, parts room, office, 41 00:07:11,880 --> 00:07:15,919 bathrooms have an open 42 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:20,160 All height will be about 43 00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:23,759 14 gas 44 00:07:39,639 --> 00:07:45,280 he currently spread all over some private property and 45 00:07:46,720 --> 00:07:52,759 By the end of 2021, we feel we could have the open sided machinery storage 46 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:58,000 portion completed completed with funds 47 00:07:55,039 --> 00:07:58,000 unencumbered on 48 00:08:04,680 --> 00:08:15,080 hand. We plan to pursue add funding for these grants. 49 00:08:11,919 --> 00:08:15,080 We also 50 00:08:41,200 --> 00:08:47,760 Yeah, we have no problem with that already. Yeah. No, you guys had voted 51 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:56,399 last meeting to pursue that. So, we are in the process of getting that into a 52 00:08:51,080 --> 00:09:00,480 smaller tract and visited and with the L leadership team several times before 53 00:08:58,320 --> 00:09:07,320 that. So, just thought it was good for them to to come and tell you kind of 54 00:09:02,000 --> 00:09:07,320 what their plans were to weal 55 00:09:11,360 --> 00:09:17,800 I I couldn't hear we request be put on the next agenda. 56 00:09:23,040 --> 00:09:29,480 Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Very good. 57 00:09:32,080 --> 00:09:36,880 are out there. So it's 58 00:09:41,399 --> 00:09:45,800 understanding quite interest. 59 00:09:59,680 --> 00:10:05,800 We would prefer you pull it into your driveway over there in industrial park. 60 00:10:11,920 --> 00:10:16,079 I'd like to just take a moment if you don't mind 61 00:10:23,880 --> 00:10:30,640 commening really pleased to see that building a part of it. 62 00:10:35,440 --> 00:10:42,480 I agree. Um, we do understand what you guys are 63 00:10:40,079 --> 00:10:48,079 looking for and we'll do everything we can as a city to help with this project. 64 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:54,880 Um, Phil Schmidt was a personal friend of mine as well and his loss is great to 65 00:10:51,680 --> 00:10:58,720 the community. Um, so yeah, I'll make sure that we get you if you guys can be 66 00:10:56,959 --> 00:11:04,720 ready in two weeks, we can put you on the agenda for the next meeting. Um, I 67 00:11:02,320 --> 00:11:09,320 don't think getting you the ground is going to be an issue. I think we can 68 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:16,279 make sure that happens. So say you guys are an unseen asset to 69 00:11:13,279 --> 00:11:20,480 the county community. I know I speak for many 70 00:11:20,519 --> 00:11:24,240 people here. 71 00:11:25,200 --> 00:11:33,000 pretty hard. You guys have picked up some pretty big 72 00:11:28,959 --> 00:11:33,000 trees out of that river, too. 73 00:11:35,600 --> 00:11:42,160 We had a pretty rough year last year. It wasn't just because of 74 00:11:47,720 --> 00:11:59,120 Bill's unusual occurrence on the south end of down. We had a giant ash across 75 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:59,120 the whole river on 76 00:12:07,079 --> 00:12:11,079 supposedly expansion. 77 00:12:33,320 --> 00:12:38,279 Absolutely. Well, thank you guys very much. 78 00:12:39,279 --> 00:12:46,160 Absolutely. You know, I own two houses with two brand new basements here in 79 00:12:44,399 --> 00:12:49,160 town, so I'm glad you guys do what you do. 80 00:12:49,440 --> 00:12:52,760 It's kind of 81 00:12:54,959 --> 00:13:01,040 nice. Yeah, we we'd like to get you on the agenda for that full presentation. 82 00:12:59,279 --> 00:13:06,000 That will give the public an opportunity to join and see what you guys are doing, 83 00:13:02,720 --> 00:13:13,160 too. And and you know, I'm can't think of anybody in this town that wouldn't be 84 00:13:07,760 --> 00:13:13,160 behind your effort. So, thank you. 85 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:20,320 Yeah. Thanks for coming in. Thank you. Is there anybody else here that wishes 86 00:13:18,560 --> 00:13:25,040 to address the council in public form this 87 00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:30,240 evening? Looks like we're losing most of our audience. So that tells me they were 88 00:13:27,279 --> 00:13:34,240 all on on that team together. So we'll close a public forum and I'm going to 89 00:13:32,240 --> 00:13:38,399 move on to the consent agenda and ask for its approval at this time. Mr. 90 00:13:36,880 --> 00:13:44,079 Mayor, after review of the consent agenda for January 11th, I will make a 91 00:13:41,279 --> 00:13:48,600 motion for approval. Second. You've heard the motion and second on 92 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:36,160 spread out over its its life cycle. Um it's called a lease, but it's we're not 93 00:17:34,720 --> 00:17:40,720 paying interest or anything like that on it. Um it does have full maintenance um 94 00:17:38,960 --> 00:17:45,919 service on the machine through the five years. Our monthly payment actually 95 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:50,160 decreases uh from its current amount. Not not a whole heck of a lot, but it is 96 00:17:48,000 --> 00:17:54,880 some cost savings there. virtually identical to what we have. Um, and it is 97 00:17:53,280 --> 00:18:00,559 kind of like a copier of it's something that gets used every day, multiple times 98 00:17:57,919 --> 00:18:07,679 a day. So, do we get trade in value on the old one? No, it just kind 99 00:18:04,760 --> 00:18:13,760 of it's the way the the way the postage machine game works. 100 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:18,960 Yeah. I say that's kind of the if you keep it and go of we would be not 101 00:18:16,400 --> 00:18:23,919 adhering to USPS standard as far as the barcode that was printing and then uh it 102 00:18:22,400 --> 00:18:27,799 kicks it off of its service agreement. So we'd be paying a hefty fee there if 103 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:33,600 something were to happen with the machine. We would like uh council to 104 00:18:30,799 --> 00:18:37,440 approve us and pursuing this replacement. So if we don't have any 105 00:18:36,000 --> 00:18:42,640 volunteers to come down and lick envelopes, you guys might want to make a 106 00:18:39,120 --> 00:18:45,919 motion on that. Well, reading through this here, it 107 00:18:44,720 --> 00:18:50,720 sounds like we're getting a little bit better deal. Not by much, but uh uh 108 00:18:49,200 --> 00:18:55,120 annually it's going to be a little bit less. So, I would make a motion to 109 00:18:53,039 --> 00:19:04,160 approve the ongoing 5-year lease and service agreement with Quadrant leasing 110 00:18:59,280 --> 00:19:09,000 and Midwest uh single source for an EX5 mailing system for the city of Holl. 111 00:19:09,280 --> 00:19:15,600 I'm going to have to assign documentation as necessary. Second. 112 00:19:14,000 --> 00:19:20,640 Okay, we have in the motion in the second to approve the new postage 113 00:19:17,600 --> 00:19:26,720 mailing machine. All in favor say I. I. Post. Same sign. That motion 114 00:19:24,120 --> 00:19:30,880 carries. Next item on the agenda is consideration of insurance renewal with 115 00:19:28,640 --> 00:19:35,039 KAMP. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. As council recall, 116 00:19:33,200 --> 00:19:39,360 we uh switched our property and liability insurance coverage to the 117 00:19:37,520 --> 00:19:45,520 Kansas County Association Multi-line Pool or KAMP um last 118 00:19:42,200 --> 00:19:49,919 year. As noted, uh our original annual estimate was about 80,000. Um I know 119 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:54,480 Mayor Travis might be able to speak to it more as he attended that meeting on 120 00:19:52,400 --> 00:19:58,320 behalf of the city of Holstead, but as they were preparing and looking at 121 00:19:55,760 --> 00:20:03,200 rates, they did anticipate, you know, a around a 4% increase in rates just 122 00:20:00,320 --> 00:20:09,919 overall. uh due to the insurance market. Um we of course saw um almost a 14% 123 00:20:07,120 --> 00:20:15,280 increase in our annual cost from what we were anticipating to that. Um and that 124 00:20:13,120 --> 00:20:20,000 was mostly driven by our increase in values of the city property um that was 125 00:20:17,600 --> 00:20:25,120 that is being insured. Um additional mobile equipment um things we didn't 126 00:20:22,240 --> 00:20:30,080 have originally when we uh started with them and then vehicles as well of just 127 00:20:27,600 --> 00:20:33,919 trading out old vehicles for new. Um, obviously it's it costs more to insure 128 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:39,440 those newer vehicles. So, that's really what's driving our major cost. I did put 129 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:42,960 that our last quoted cost from EMC. Um, and the supplemental carriers we would 130 00:20:41,120 --> 00:20:47,360 have to have for what EMC wouldn't cover was 131 00:20:43,880 --> 00:20:52,039 99,468. So, we do believe KAMP is still um our best uh cost option uh for 132 00:20:50,880 --> 00:20:56,799 current coverage on that and would seek approval 133 00:20:55,120 --> 00:21:01,679 to pay the invoice to continue our coverage with them. 134 00:20:59,280 --> 00:21:05,760 Did that premium increase? I mean, did you see individual premiums like for the 135 00:21:04,080 --> 00:21:10,799 new loader? Was that a significant increase compared to what the old one? 136 00:21:09,200 --> 00:21:15,600 Yeah, just because it's the new one's valued so much higher and with 137 00:21:13,120 --> 00:21:21,520 depreciation. It's a double-edged sword, isn't it? 138 00:21:18,640 --> 00:21:28,159 Budgetwise. Yes. Um, this is still below what we've built into the budget um for 139 00:21:24,000 --> 00:21:32,240 it. Uh, KAMP is really good about um I was impressed of in June they actually 140 00:21:30,320 --> 00:21:37,280 sent us even before they had met and made their final decisions as a board uh 141 00:21:34,559 --> 00:21:40,799 kind of what their staff was expecting for increases which was very nice on the 142 00:21:39,679 --> 00:21:44,640 insurance side. It's not really something we saw through EMC all that 143 00:21:42,960 --> 00:21:48,000 much. Um, being that they're more specialized in government, they kind of 144 00:21:46,080 --> 00:21:51,120 understand the process and we're very transparent of, hey, we think it's going 145 00:21:49,520 --> 00:21:54,880 to go up. Please be prepared when you're doing your budget. So, correct me if I'm 146 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:58,880 wrong. If I remember from the presentation that we had many 147 00:21:56,240 --> 00:22:03,120 discussions over this, there was some form of year end rebates for money that 148 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:10,559 wasn't um we did receive a grant um of $2,000 149 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:16,480 for risk mitigation activities that we do. Um so, we applied that to a camera 150 00:22:14,400 --> 00:22:19,280 system, a body cam and vehicle system that we bought for the police department 151 00:22:17,840 --> 00:22:27,600 and that covered about half of that cost. Um and so and then when we we as 152 00:22:24,559 --> 00:22:32,559 we were a new um eventually we'll hit the process where they actually have 153 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:37,360 some kind of if you um do a multi-year like agree for three years um it can 154 00:22:35,039 --> 00:22:42,480 help your rates but since we were a brand new client, we don't qualify for 155 00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:48,080 that yet. But but we are seeing some payback in other 156 00:22:45,679 --> 00:22:54,240 areas that traditionally you wouldn't see from a normal insurance company. So 157 00:22:51,080 --> 00:22:54,240 yeah, almost 158 00:23:01,559 --> 00:23:08,720 $10,000. If there are no other questions, I make a motion to approve 159 00:23:05,200 --> 00:23:13,440 the renewal of Kansas County Association multi approval and 160 00:23:11,159 --> 00:23:16,679 authorized of the invoice in the amount of $9,310. 161 00:23:17,000 --> 00:23:26,400 Second heard the motion and second to renew our insurance with Kate Camp. All 162 00:23:22,320 --> 00:23:31,679 in favor say I. I. Post same sign. And that motion 163 00:23:28,360 --> 00:23:36,799 passes. Next item is consideration of afterprom funding 164 00:23:34,679 --> 00:23:44,320 request. I don't see anybody representing the high school. 165 00:23:40,159 --> 00:23:49,760 This is uh an annual donation and we can definitely call them forward uh and ask 166 00:23:47,200 --> 00:23:56,159 them to come. I think money you should show up in person. 167 00:23:52,799 --> 00:24:00,400 But uh there is the uh letter there as far as consideration. Um and it is 168 00:23:58,559 --> 00:24:06,000 something that the city historically has has funded more years than not. Um and 169 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:09,840 we noted the donation we typically do. So I will leave that up to you all if 170 00:24:08,080 --> 00:24:12,960 you want to make that decision this evening or pin we can gladly communicate 171 00:24:11,520 --> 00:24:18,720 with the after prom committee and ask someone to come and present. Agree. 172 00:24:17,200 --> 00:24:23,919 Okay. We need a motion to continue. 173 00:24:22,000 --> 00:24:27,080 He can just put on the agenda for the next meeting. 174 00:24:29,760 --> 00:24:37,600 All right. We'll move on to item number four. consideration of public hearing 175 00:24:34,080 --> 00:24:37,600 date for tax abatement 176 00:24:39,480 --> 00:24:49,919 review. Uh we slight change um as you'll notice from the agenda memo. Normally we 177 00:24:47,520 --> 00:24:55,600 do our um tax abatement review for active uh tax abatements in the city at 178 00:24:52,799 --> 00:24:59,279 our second meeting in January. Uh we were contacted by leg company. Uh 179 00:24:57,679 --> 00:25:04,720 they've had some staffing changes in the department that handles that. Um and so 180 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:09,360 through that change they uh weren't able to get thus the information in time 181 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:12,960 asked for an extension. Um we told them that we would get back with them 182 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:17,520 tomorrow of of whether that we do believe after speaking with Brad that we 183 00:25:15,360 --> 00:25:21,520 have the right uh you know if you all agree to it by a majority vote to 184 00:25:19,120 --> 00:25:26,400 deviate from our policy uh which states that we'll do a review by January 31st 185 00:25:23,840 --> 00:25:29,840 of every year. Um this would put it in conjunction with our February 8th 186 00:25:27,840 --> 00:25:34,240 meeting. Um so still early in the year, still time for us to communicate with 187 00:25:31,200 --> 00:25:38,200 the county um and make sure that we have all those documents. We have two active 188 00:25:36,240 --> 00:25:42,960 tax abatements, so we would also be in um contact. We have heard back from 189 00:25:40,480 --> 00:25:46,880 Martin Machine um and let them know if give them some time to respond as well 190 00:25:45,360 --> 00:25:52,799 on anything they might be missing and what they've presented so far. So 191 00:25:51,039 --> 00:25:56,640 So we just need that motion to deviate from it. Yeah, I'll make a motion to 192 00:25:55,039 --> 00:26:01,520 deviate from the normal requirements of the city's economic development policy 193 00:25:58,559 --> 00:26:09,720 and to set a public hearing for review of active tax abatements on February 194 00:26:04,360 --> 00:26:09,720 8th, 2021 at 7 p.m. 195 00:26:09,760 --> 00:26:19,520 Heard the motion and a second uh to move our public hearing for tax abatements to 196 00:26:15,919 --> 00:26:25,000 February 8th. All in favor say I. I post same sign. We will move that 197 00:26:23,279 --> 00:26:30,279 review to them. Next item on the agenda is 198 00:26:27,760 --> 00:26:35,159 consideration of the League of Kansas Municipalities 2021 statement of 199 00:26:33,120 --> 00:26:40,720 municipal policy. Thank you. Um hopefully you all 200 00:26:38,400 --> 00:26:44,960 had a chance to review. It's a it's a little bit of light reading for you all 201 00:26:42,159 --> 00:26:49,840 the uh statement of municipal policy. Um this is something the league develops 202 00:26:46,559 --> 00:26:53,840 just of their overall um advocation uh that they do with the uh Kansas 203 00:26:51,600 --> 00:26:58,400 legislature on behalf of cities. Um obviously they represent all um 600 plus 204 00:26:56,320 --> 00:27:00,880 cities in the state of Kansas. So as you read through there there's probably some 205 00:26:59,600 --> 00:27:07,360 things that are very applicable to us and some things that are not. Um but by 206 00:27:04,240 --> 00:27:11,919 us adopting um support of this uh gives me the clearance to be able to provide 207 00:27:09,279 --> 00:27:15,760 testimony when it's called for. Um there are some bills already on the table or 208 00:27:13,919 --> 00:27:19,600 if you've listened to some of our representatives talk, you know, some of 209 00:27:17,440 --> 00:27:22,880 the items like tax transparency and things that we're going to be following 210 00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:28,159 very closely because those have direct implications on us or our 211 00:27:25,080 --> 00:27:32,960 responsibilities. So, um this just gives staff the uh the coverage they need if 212 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:38,159 if we need to provide testimony or or statements that support that. Um kind of 213 00:27:35,520 --> 00:27:42,760 allows us to to do that. And you guys know that you as a governing body are 214 00:27:39,840 --> 00:27:48,440 okay with those stated policies and initiatives that the league would 215 00:27:45,120 --> 00:27:48,440 like to pursue. 216 00:27:51,190 --> 00:27:54,990 [Laughter] 217 00:27:57,360 --> 00:28:03,200 Um there's no questions or discussion. I'd make a motion for the city of 218 00:28:01,200 --> 00:28:07,120 Hallstead to support the League of Kansas 219 00:28:04,039 --> 00:28:12,240 Municipalities uh 2021 statement of municipal policy and authorizes staff to 220 00:28:10,240 --> 00:28:18,399 engage in activities related to the support of those policies. 221 00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:23,679 Second. Heard the motion and second to adopt the uh League of Candidates's 222 00:28:20,320 --> 00:28:31,039 Municipalities 2021 policy. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. Same 223 00:28:27,880 --> 00:28:36,720 sign. Okay, that one passes unanimously. You see I shortened that up when I was, 224 00:28:33,120 --> 00:28:41,279 you know, reviewing that vote. Next thing on our agenda is we do have 225 00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:46,559 an executive session this season this evening. So I would entertain that 226 00:28:43,039 --> 00:28:52,640 motion. Mr. Mayor Motion City Council recess into executive session for 15 227 00:28:49,320 --> 00:28:57,919 minutes to discuss performance of a city of Hallstead employee pursuant to 228 00:28:54,960 --> 00:29:00,559 personnel matters of elected personnel exception 229 00:29:01,399 --> 00:29:11,279 KSA75-4319 B1 to include governing body city manager city attorney opening to 230 00:29:08,880 --> 00:29:15,600 resume at 7:50. Second. 231 00:29:13,440 --> 00:29:22,000 Got the motion and the second to move into executive session. All in favor say 232 00:29:18,159 --> 00:29:25,799 I. I. Opposed? Same sign. We will move to executive session. 233 00:46:51,040 --> 00:46:59,440 one of the photo. Oh, really? 234 00:46:56,960 --> 00:47:03,440 That's amazing. We are back from our executive session. 235 00:47:01,680 --> 00:47:08,480 Is there any action to be taken as a result 236 00:47:05,240 --> 00:47:12,800 of seeing no movement from the council, we will move on to 237 00:47:10,599 --> 00:47:16,800 reports tonight. We will start with governing body and I will start with you 238 00:47:14,960 --> 00:47:23,440 Ed. I think I know what the flags are 239 00:47:20,440 --> 00:47:23,440 for 240 00:47:24,359 --> 00:47:35,760 AT&T. Uh AT&T is uh from what we can tell AT&T is laying fiber optic to some 241 00:47:32,800 --> 00:47:41,280 of their customers or increasing their base permits or they pull one calls but 242 00:47:39,280 --> 00:47:46,400 with our franchise agreement with them um beyond the one call or permitting um 243 00:47:44,720 --> 00:47:51,359 for that I mean to make sure they're not hit running a foul of any other users in 244 00:47:49,040 --> 00:47:56,160 the right of way. Um, so we got the one call and we go out and mark our 245 00:47:53,119 --> 00:47:59,920 utilities and um, but beyond that we don't have like control of the 246 00:48:08,599 --> 00:48:13,240 contractor posting on Facebook. 247 00:48:17,359 --> 00:48:27,599 George. Yes. I had um citizen reach out to me and express um thanks for the city 248 00:48:25,359 --> 00:48:31,440 maintenance crew to come back out and they did some excavating for the water 249 00:48:29,319 --> 00:48:36,960 beater. And then they came back in and back filled it. And there was settling, 250 00:48:33,680 --> 00:48:42,480 significant settling. And when she came home, it was all filled in. Actually, 251 00:48:39,119 --> 00:48:46,000 the the dump um the tractor was still there. the loader was still there with 252 00:48:43,839 --> 00:48:50,079 the bucket and and apparently somebody else had reached out and so maintenance 253 00:48:48,480 --> 00:48:55,920 going around and was filling in back filling some of the sites that was going 254 00:48:52,760 --> 00:49:00,119 on. So just thank you to the maintenance crew, 255 00:48:58,400 --> 00:49:04,640 Mr. Wallace. Okay, I don't really have anything this 256 00:49:02,800 --> 00:49:11,280 evening other than I'm excited to see a new home going up west of my little home 257 00:49:07,760 --> 00:49:14,520 on Second Street. So, it'll be fun to keep driving down Second Street and 258 00:49:12,880 --> 00:49:18,640 watching that construction come together. So, we'll move on to our 259 00:49:16,960 --> 00:49:23,920 manager report, and that would be you, Ethan. Thank you. Uh departmental 260 00:49:22,240 --> 00:49:28,880 activity um for the beginning of the year includes 26 calls for service, 22 261 00:49:26,960 --> 00:49:33,520 traffic stops, and 10 criminal cases for the police department. Uh fire reported 262 00:49:31,359 --> 00:49:37,280 nine calls for service, and staff have finished school inspections and are 263 00:49:34,960 --> 00:49:41,680 working on various grant applications. EMS has had 25 calls for service. Uh 264 00:49:40,079 --> 00:49:45,760 twothirds of those in Holstead and a third in Sedwick. Uh staff is currently 265 00:49:43,680 --> 00:49:49,359 seeking quotes on replacement of the EMS command vehicle and then evaluating 266 00:49:47,680 --> 00:49:54,079 potential operational and equipment changes in light of staffing levels. Uh 267 00:49:51,680 --> 00:49:58,000 EMS also continues to oversee our uh ultraviolet disinfection of city 268 00:49:55,680 --> 00:50:01,760 facilities as our policies dictate. Parks and recreation continue to 269 00:49:59,520 --> 00:50:04,960 coordinate with USD440 on how their level of response to COVID might affect 270 00:50:03,680 --> 00:50:08,880 recreation activities in their buildings. Uh planning for the pool and 271 00:50:07,280 --> 00:50:13,599 needed equipment or maintenance is also underway for this coming pool season. 272 00:50:11,440 --> 00:50:17,119 Staff coordinated with the tree board on their winter plantings uh and have also 273 00:50:15,520 --> 00:50:22,559 worked on trash and debris cleanup at the city parks uh specifically Riverside 274 00:50:20,040 --> 00:50:26,640 Park. Wedgwood golf continues winter maintenance and service of equipment. Uh 275 00:50:24,800 --> 00:50:30,079 offseason rates continue to be in effect and staff have been busy scheduling 276 00:50:28,240 --> 00:50:32,880 tournaments and registering both new and returning memberships for play at the 277 00:50:31,520 --> 00:50:37,599 course. Uh, public works has worked on taking 278 00:50:35,440 --> 00:50:41,839 down street Christmas decorations, uh, picked up around 15 Christmas trees uh, 279 00:50:40,240 --> 00:50:45,359 that were put curbside, performed equipment service and maintenance, and 280 00:50:43,599 --> 00:50:49,839 checked unresponsive and zero read meters. As we continue the AMI process, 281 00:50:48,160 --> 00:50:54,319 uh, burial and examation was performed at the cemetery, and tree removal was 282 00:50:51,760 --> 00:50:57,920 done along the levy on the west end of the north side. 283 00:50:56,240 --> 00:51:02,559 Administrative staff have been very busy with the utility billing process uh 284 00:51:00,800 --> 00:51:05,520 continuing to investigate errors as they are identified and then working with 285 00:51:03,839 --> 00:51:09,359 public works and our vendor to identify the root cause of those issues. We have 286 00:51:07,680 --> 00:51:12,559 appreciated everyone's patience with the delays in billing and believe the 287 00:51:10,960 --> 00:51:16,480 majority of the issues that were causing delays have been rectified as we move 288 00:51:14,440 --> 00:51:19,760 forward. The bills that would have been mailed out December 1st were sent out 289 00:51:18,079 --> 00:51:23,280 about three weeks late and the bills that would have been mailed out at the 290 00:51:21,760 --> 00:51:27,960 beginning of January were sent out a week late. Um all late fees and charges 291 00:51:25,680 --> 00:51:34,640 have been waved until January 19th, 2021. Uh the bills that people or the 292 00:51:32,720 --> 00:51:38,160 bills that people do have uh reflect the change from the old to the new system as 293 00:51:36,240 --> 00:51:42,079 well as actual usage being reconciled against the previous months which were 294 00:51:39,599 --> 00:51:46,359 estimated usage. Uh again, this will result in some people seeing slightly 295 00:51:43,760 --> 00:51:49,839 lower bills if their usage had been uh overestimated and does not indicate that 296 00:51:48,640 --> 00:51:53,359 meters are in some way running backwards. and in other people's cases, 297 00:51:51,839 --> 00:51:57,280 their bills may be slightly higher if their previous month's usage was 298 00:51:55,079 --> 00:52:00,160 underestimated. Any resident with issues should contact city hall and we'll 299 00:51:58,480 --> 00:52:02,880 gladly look into their specific account details and readings to make sure 300 00:52:01,440 --> 00:52:08,000 there's not some sort of error that's being missed. Uh utility bills are also 301 00:52:05,760 --> 00:52:11,839 build in a rears. Uh so just a reminder that this most recent billing is going 302 00:52:09,920 --> 00:52:15,440 to reflect uh you know the change into cold weather and people uh generally 303 00:52:13,760 --> 00:52:20,400 have increased gas consumption which can also lead to a higher than expected bill 304 00:52:17,920 --> 00:52:23,200 from the last couple months. Uh with any new technology, there are always going 305 00:52:21,920 --> 00:52:27,680 to be growing pains and a learning curve. Uh so just please contact us if 306 00:52:25,520 --> 00:52:31,280 you have questions on your bill. Uh and we are very hopeful that the outstanding 307 00:52:29,200 --> 00:52:37,200 issues have been fixed and bills will be sent on out on time in February. Uh just 308 00:52:35,359 --> 00:52:41,280 the majority of the system is working as we expected, but there are some just 309 00:52:39,119 --> 00:52:45,040 outstanding issues that we continue to uh hunt down and investigate as they're 310 00:52:43,200 --> 00:52:49,200 identified. So just please please please contact us if you have a question or 311 00:52:47,040 --> 00:52:53,839 think uh something is incorrect on your utility bill. So all city staff beyond 312 00:52:52,559 --> 00:52:57,040 that have been busy with year and closing and finalization of yearly 313 00:52:55,520 --> 00:53:00,400 reporting requirements respective to their departments. Staff continue 314 00:52:58,960 --> 00:53:04,160 working on implementation of the new VoIP phone system and resolving issues 315 00:53:02,400 --> 00:53:07,680 as seen tonight with the council and conference room upgrades as we uh 316 00:53:06,160 --> 00:53:11,440 continue to work through those new tech upgrades. 317 00:53:09,680 --> 00:53:15,640 uh just to have attended some meetings and have a meeting this week on uh 318 00:53:13,520 --> 00:53:21,920 reviewing flood plane changes in our area. And um that is all I have to 319 00:53:19,440 --> 00:53:26,319 report this evening. Oh, I'm sorry. A brief update on 204 main. Uh did get a 320 00:53:24,720 --> 00:53:30,400 hold of the structural engineer. He is coming out to do um basically just a 321 00:53:28,800 --> 00:53:35,200 check on some of the measurements and things uh this Thursday at 11:30 and 322 00:53:32,559 --> 00:53:39,599 then hopefully we'll have that report um in hand for next council meeting. So 323 00:53:37,520 --> 00:53:44,319 that will be Russ. Yeah, Russ is coming Thursday at 11:30. So they uh just 324 00:53:43,040 --> 00:53:48,720 wanted to double check a few of his numbers and and have a final look 325 00:53:47,040 --> 00:53:52,960 through it and then he thought he would have that wrapped up. So very very 326 00:53:51,119 --> 00:53:58,559 hopeful we'll have something to start moving forward on some course of action 327 00:53:54,800 --> 00:54:04,880 for that building. So council, any questions of that report? 328 00:54:02,400 --> 00:54:09,200 If not, that finishes our agenda this evening and I would entertain a motion 329 00:54:07,040 --> 00:54:14,720 for adjournment. So move second. Heard the motion and the 330 00:54:12,640 --> 00:54:21,800 second for adjournment. All in favor say I. I. Post same sign. We are adjourned. 331 00:54:18,319 --> 00:54:21,800 Thank you, councel.